Tag Archives: Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Offers DJ Steward

After his impressive performances at the Nike Peach Jam, Duke has offered DJ Steward.  Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski extended an offer after watching him with assistants, Jon Scheyer, and Nate James during the last two days of the event.

Steward is a 6-3 combo guard with a natural knack for scoring.    The fast-rising young star scored 31 points, dished out 5 assists while pulling down 12 rebounds while the Duke staff watched his game against a stacked AOC team and an offer came within hours after the performance.

The Chicago native is making a name for himself by playing high-level basketball, showing grit and determination to make himself better.

To give you an idea of his ascent up the rankings, Steward originally was ranked as the 103rd best player and is now tabbed as high as 27.  By weeks end, he will be in the teens in adjusted rankings per reliable sources.

Steward was on the Duke radar prior to the Peach Jam where the Blue Devils staff sent word they would watch him.  Needless to say, he impressed the longtime Duke coach, Mike Krzyzewski enough to move fast to get into the expanding picture.

Duke will now try to set up a visit in the future for Steward and he will hear from Krzyzewski as he is likely to take his time and go on his allotted five official visits.

Only time will tell whether Duke gets one of those visits, but the feeling her is they should as the relationship develops.  It is worth noting he has played for Whitney Young High School which is the alma mater of former Blue Devil and current New Orlean Pelican center Jahlil Okafor.

Duke Basketball

What is Duke getting in Jalen Johnson?

Jalen Johnson Duke

There were fireworks early in the day on the 4th of July for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball program.  The Blue Devils landed Jalen Johnson, a 6-8, 215 pounds small forward formerly played for Sun Prarie, Wisconsin and now plays for Nicolet in Glendale.

Johnson is ranked the 4th best player in his class by ESPN and the top rated small forward in his class.  Johnson joins Jeremy Roach giving Duke two five-star players in the class to date.

So, what are the Blue Devils getting in Jalen Johnson?  Well, during the recent NBAPA Top 100 players camp in Charlottesville I beamed in on the prospect for an extended amount of time.

This is no knock on the many other prospects which were at the late June event, but Johnson was the one player I wanted most after watching him play.

It took a very short time before I realized that Johnson had a special skill set in many areas of the game.  In fact, beyond the usual need to be a more consistent shooter, I saw few weaknesses compared to his strength -- versatility.

Johnson does everything well.  He is a smart basketball player having a nose for the ball when it is not in his hands.    While he thinks on the court, he does not overdo it, meaning he is cerebral yet reactive.

Smooth movement with the ball helps Johnson have a vast array of offensive weapons.  He can create his own shot or drain short-range and long-range shots.

Johnson is a good defender as well and can turn it up the court and take it rim to rim for the bucket.  His unselfishness has helped him to become a good facilitator with the ball as well,

Despite being listed as a small forward, Johnson has a solid body which will help him with the physicality fo the college game.    Of course, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski plays position less basketball and Johnson should thrive in the Blue Devils system.

Duke is in the running for several other players in Johnson's class and his addition should be a plus.  His court vision and perhaps his only knock which is over sharing the ball or trying to create for others make him a desirable teammate,

Johnson picked Duke over Kentucky and others but the Blue Devils led for a bit now.  It was good news when Johnson decided to pull the trigger yesterday releasing a video with his intent to play basketball in Durham.

Like many other prospects, Johnson played for the USA Basketball system.  Johnson is destined to be a stat-stuffer at the college level with his ability to score, distribute and hit the boards.

BOTTOM LINE - Solid recruit for Duke which by committing early will allow them to turn their attention to other talented prospects.  A well rounded, high upside player who will need to continue to improve his shot to reach his full potential which is considerable.  Look for him to start working other prospects with future teammate Jeremy Roach by the upcoming Nike Peach Jam.

 

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Jalen Johnson Cuts List, Talks Recruiting

Jalen Johnson is a coveted Duke prospect.

Big time prospect Jalen Johnson has cut his list of schools and remains open in his recruitment with many thinking Duke and Kentucky are at the top of his list.  Blue Devil Nation caught up with the talented young player during the NBAPA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, Va. this past weekend.  Check out what he had to say as a member during our one year for a six-month price on the message board.

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Goes In Home with Jalen Johnson

Jalen Johnson

Hot off securing a commitment with 2019 SG Cassius Stanley the Duke Men's Basketball staff went in-home with big-time prospect Jalen Johnson.

Johnson has long been on the Blue Devils early wish list for the 2020-21 recruiting season.

The Wisconsin native stands 6-8 plays for Nicolet High School in Glendale.  He has a long list of offers and suitors but Duke has made him a priority for some time now.

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Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Cassius Stanley Joins the Duke Brotherhood (Updated)

Cassius Stanley Photo - LA Times

The Duke Blue Devils solidify their 2019-20 recruiting class with highly ranked shooting guard Cassius Stanley giving the program the nations top-rated class.

Stanley chose Duke over Kansas, Oregon and UCLA.

His announcement came at his Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California.

The newest Blue Devil averaged 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game in 2018-19 for a star-studded team.

Stanley joins fellow Californian, Boogie Ellis, Matthew Hurt, Vernon Carey Jr., and Wendell Moore Jr.

An elite athlete, Stanley hopes to be an immediate factor early at Duke, where three starters are NBA bound.

Standing at 6-5 with solid length and he is aggressive on the offensive end driving the ball downcourt while also being a willing defender.

Stanley is a little older than some freshman so that has allowed him to develop physically as well.  He will look to gain a more consistent outside shot at Duke while getting stronger.

His high school is 22 miles from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, so there is little chance Stanley will be star-struck at Duke.

Several former NBA players send their kids to Sierra Canyon including Scottie Pippen,  Duane "Pearl" Washington, Kenyon Martin to name a few.

His high school alum list includes kids from Berry Gordy. Sean Combs, Kevin Hart, the Jenner's and Jamie Fox to name a few.  Elite level kids attend the school system near Los Angeles from kindergarten through high school.

Another recent Duke product from Sierra Valley was none other than Marvin Bagley III.

So, Stanley is more than a little accustomed to stars being around, so that should help him fit in with a program full of them and the stands always having somebody famous nearby.

His Dad, Jerome, was a successful sports agent who broke down some barriers along the way,  He represented the likes of Baron Davis and Keyshaun Johnson.

Stanley once worked out with Oklahoma City standout Paul George.

It will be fin for Duke fans to watch the athletic Stanley add polish to his game while in Durham.  There is no reason he should not push for immediate playing time if he puts in the work.

Stanley added Duke to his list in early August and visited the school the weekend after that news came out.  It was obviously a good visit.

Duke assistant coaches Nate James and Chris Carrawell took lead roles in the recruiting process recognizing the talent Stanley possessed.

 

“It was a lot of pressure,” said Stanley after his decision. “Initially I had three schools, UCLA, Kansas and Oregon. Coach Alford got fired and around the same time Duke slid in. I was skeptical at first because I wanted to stay loyal to the programs that were recruiting me earlier, but I felt Duke had the best to offer.”

The Blue Devils wanted to add a shooting guard to this class and more backcourt help, so the addition of Stanley afford them backcourt depth.

 

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Staff Will Be Active as Open Period Begins

The Duke Men's Basketball staff will be out on the road recruiting as the open period begins today.  The NCAA allows the team to have on and off-campus contact with student-athletes through the 14th.

The Blue Devils got a shot in the arm when Tre Jones decided to return for his sophomore season but they are now trying to finalize next years roster.

Despite having layered back up options, it would appear that they want to round out their roster with ...

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